The Indiana General Assembly passed a bill that would allow the state to withhold money from cities that fail to protect monuments and memorials from vandalism and destruction.
The bill also instructs State Police to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of any person who “damages, defaces, or destroys religious property” and says funding for cities and counties “may be withheld” if it is found that they have failed to protect such monuments.
Last summer, protesters spray-painted the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis. Also, up to 80% of the war monuments and memorials in Indianapolis were damaged the weekend of May 29-31 of 2020 during two nights of riots.
The bill passed the Senate on Thursday by a vote of 36-10, with Republicans voting for it and Democrats against it.
It also makes it easier to charge rioters with a felony by classifying riots as a felony if they cause at least $750 of damage and at least five people are involved.
Sen. Greg Taylor is one of many Democrats who oppose the bill. He says it focuses on protecting property, not people.
It was sent to Governor Holcomb’s desk.
3 comments
Big Question:
Will the dunce governor act to protect our history. All of or history even the parts many disagree with. Yes the history we all share warts and all.
Indiana’s history is one of freedom and support for freedom. IN fielded many volunteer regiments for the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War, and the Spanish-American War.
You would only tear down statues in IN if you are either ignorant of history or a supporter of a totalitarian government that just wants you to bow down. Maybe both.
The vandals that do this are deserving of all the punishment that can be meted out. They deserve to be hunted down and shamed in public. They deserve the benefits of the cancel culture they so cherish.
“Sen. Greg Taylor is one of many Democrats who oppose the bill. He says it focuses on protecting property, not people.”
Greg Taylor is as dumb as the rest of the Democrats are. By cracking down on the rioting and destruction, you WILL protect the innocent bystanders who would be caught up in those riots.
This bill also protects people’s livelihoods and history. I understand that the lefties don’t put value on other people’s property, but that’s because they don’t create: they only take.